I recently bought a Yamaha R6 in Italy. I plan to collect this bike asap and bring it to Zurich.

My questions are:
1. Is it possible to get insurance on this bike (from a Swiss company) to cover me while I drive it here? Meaning while it still has Italian registration. Also where should I get insurance after it is registered.

2. I know I must declare this bike in Switzerland before I am invited for it to be tested and then registered. Do I have to do this the day I cross the border or is it possible to do it when I reach Zurich?

Does anyone know roughly the import duties I will pay on this bike? It’s a '01 (4k euro).

For the import

1. declare your intention to import the bike at the border (come through a major border during a week day).

2. complete the form they give you

3. wait a few days for the invite

If you do not declare at the border you will have to go out of Switzerland and back in again (like I had to because I came through on a Sunday - the border guards were very amused to see me do a u turn and come straight back at them - so amused they got guns out )

For the insurance I think this is possible - you will need insurance in Italy to get to the Swiss border and this will also cover you on the green card while you wait for the test etc. Once the bike is in CH you can get insurance for the period while you wait for your Swiss plates - you will need the invite letter from the authorities.

Thanks Bob,

Another question: If I pick up the bike from Italy over the weekend, is it possible to exit Switzerland and re-enter at a German border during the week? (German border is much closer than travelling back to Italian border)

Yes, I came in at Basel and was told to go to St Margareten. There, they have a large office with fairly helpful people and all the forms etc.

I question comes to mind though - when did you buy it? If you have had it less than 6 months you will have to pay duty on it. You won't have to pay on the spot but you will get a bill later.